Boat drift alarm system



Oct. 25, 1966 s. s. MILTON 3,281,781

BOAT DRIFT ALARM SYSTEM Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FI SAYLOR s. MILTON WXPZAW ATTORNEYS Oct. 25, 1966 s. s. MILTQN 3,281,781

BOAT DRIFT ALARM SYSTEM Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

W X v afnga' F I G a 7. ATTORNEYS SAYLOR S. MILTON United States Patent 3,281,781 BOAT DRIFT ALARM SYSTEM Saylor 5. Milton, 1227 Laurel Road, Santa Paula,'Calif. Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,385 4 Claims. (Cl. 34029) This invention relates generally to alarm systems and more particularly to an apparatus for indicating movement of a boat relative to a given position where it may be moored or otherwise secured. Although the invention will be described from the standpoint of boat drift resulting from anchor drag, it will be appreciated that the apparatus is equally adaptable to indicating boat drift as a result of mooring or anchor line breakage or the like.

There have been many instances in which a boat, when anchored for the night, has drifted away from its original position due to the anchor having lost its holding engagement with the bottom and dragging thereacross under the influence of waves and wind on the boat. This condition can, of course, create a dangerous situation for the boat and its occupants who may be unaware that the anchor is dragging.

This problem is especially prevalent with small pleasure craft which often carry only relatively small and light anchors since no power-driven winches or the like are carried aboard for handling a heavy anchor and lines. As a consequence, such small anchors are susceptible of losing gripping engagement and thereby allowing the boat to drift.

With the foregoing in mind, it is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus in combination with a conventional horn mechanism for automatically actuating a boat-mounted alarm in response to dragging movement of the anchor with respect to the bottom of the water to the end that the occupants of the boat are made aware that the boat is drifting.

Another object is to provide a means for accomplishing the foregoing object wherein the alarm or horn continues to sound after being actuated, thus requiring that an occupant of the boat manually turn it off, and thereby insuring that the occupant will be awakened to investigate the position of the boat.

Another object is to provide an alarm system which may be combined with a conventional manually actuated horn mechanism and use-d in conjunction with the existing electrical system of a boat.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an alarm system capable of being operated both automatically and manually as desired.

Briefly, these and many other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing, in a boat having a source of electrical energy, a second smaller anchor in addition to the main anchor normally carried aboard the boat. This second anchor includes a line coupled to a control means which in turn is connected to the conventional electro-mechanical actuated signal or horn device aboard the boat.

.The control means includes switch means and actuating means therefor which may be set in a position whereby when the main anchor drags on the bottom of the body of water in which the boat is anchored, the line interconnecting the second anchor and the control means will be pulled taut, thus actuating the control means to close the electrical circuit to actuate the signal means.

A better understanding of the invention will now be had by referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a boat anchored in a body of water and incorporating the novel alarm system of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away,

of the control means of the invention connected to a power source and signal means;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit in an open position corresponding to the position of the control means shown in FIGURE 32;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, of the control means in a position prior to automatic actuation of the signal means;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit in another open position corresponding to the position of the control means shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, of the control means in a position during actuation of the signal means; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit in a closed position corresponding to the position of the control means shown in FIGURE 6.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a boat 10 anchored in a body of water by means of a main anchor 11 connected to a line 12 in the conventional manner. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a sec-0nd small anchor 13 having an anchor line 14 connected thereto and extending upwardly into coupled relationship with a control means 15 mounted within the boat 10 and preferably arranged in the control panel of the boat to energize a signal means shown as a conventional electrically actuated horn 16 mounted on the boat 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the control means 15 is electrically connected in series to the horn 16 and a storage battery 17 by means of conductor wires 18, 19, and 20.

The control means 15 includes a generally rectangular hollow casing 21 including end walls 22 and 23. Secured to the end wall 23 about an opening therein (not shown) is a cylindrical tubular housing 24 within which is mounted an actuating shaft 25. The shaft 25 includes an enlarged end portion forming a button 26 projecting outwardly from the housing 24. As shown, the shaft 25 extends from the housing 24 through the longitudinal extent of the casing 21, with an end of the shaft projecting outwardly through the end wall 22. The shaft 25 is thus mounted so as to be rotatable and longitudinally slidable with respect to the casing. The shaft 25 includes a circumferential groove 27 and a longitudinal groove 28 defined in its periphery as shown.

Positioned within the casing 21 adjacent to the shaft 25 is a first switch 29 having a slidable rod 30 spring-biased into engagement with the circumferential groove 27. The casing 21 also includes adjacent to the shaft 25 a second switch 31 thaving a slidtable rod 32 spring-biased into engagement with the longitudinal groove 28. The first and second switches 29 and 31 are electrically connected into the circuit including the horn 16 and battery 17 by means of conductor wires 33 and 34, as shown. Shown adapted to be positioned over the shaft 25 in conjunction with an operation to be subsequently described is a trigger means comprising a pin 35 connected to the anchor line 14 and including a fork portion 36.

FIGURE 3 illustrates in solid lines the positions of the switch arms controlled by the rods 30 and 32 when the shaft 25 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

In FIGURE 4, it will be seen that an end of the shaft 25 is received within a circular opening 37 defined through the end W21 l122. The end wall further includes an arcutate opening 38 of approximately terminating in horizontal and vertical shoulders 39 and 40, respectively. As shown, the shaft 25 is provided with a longitudinally extending key 41, which, when the shaft 25 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2, rests upon the horizontal shoulder 39. As

3 is apparent, the shaft 25 may be rotated approximately 90 so that the key 41 abuts against the shoulder 40. The shoulders 39 and 40 thus provide uirnits for the rot-ation of the shaft 25.

In the operation of the [above-described arrangement, the control means is in a first position wherein the shaft 25 is positioned with respect to the switches 29 and 31 so that when the shaft is manually moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow A, the first switch 29 will be actuated due to the rod 30 being moved out of the groove 27. During this longitudinal movement, the rod 32 of the second switch 31 remains within the longitudinal groove 28, and thus the switch 31 is not actuated. As shown in FIGURE 3, the first switch 29 is thus moved from the solid line position to the dotted line position, closing the circuit from the battery 17 to the horn 16 and thus sounding the horn.

By the foregoing arrangement and operation, the horn is capable of being manually actuated in a conventional manner by simply moving the shaft 25 in the manner indicated.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, the automatic actuating controls and system for actuating or sounding the horn 16 will now be described. In other words, in accordance with an important object of the invention, it is desirous to use the control means to actuate .the horn when the boat moves as a result of anchor drag or the like.

Toward this end, illustrative constnuctions for the switches 29 and 31 will be described. The switch 29 may include a spring 42 normally biasing the rod 30 into engagement with the shaft 25. A contact arm 43 is secured to the rod 30 and is pivotally mounted on the switch at a pivot joint 44 which also serves as a terminal for the conduct-or wire connected to the battery. In the position shown, the switch 29 provides a connection between conductor wires 21 and 33.

In a similar manner, the second switch 31 may include a spning 45 normally biasing the rod 32 into engagement with the shaft 25. A contact arm 46 is secured to the rod 32 and is pivotally connected to the switch at a pivot joint 47 which also serves as a terminal for the conductor wire 18 connected to the horn. In the .position shown, the switch 31 provides a connection between the conductor wires 18 and 34.

A coil spring 48 has one of its ends secured to a shoulder 49 within the housing 24 and its other end secured to the shaft by means of a slip ring 51) mounted in a groove (not shown) in the shaft 25 so that the shaft may be rotated without causing the slip ring 56 to rotate. As shown, the shaft includes a shoulder 51.

In operation, the manner in which the control means is moved from the first position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 to the second position shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, thus setting up the system for subsequent automatic actuation, will now be described.

The shaft 25 is first rotated approximately .a quarter turn in the direction of arrow B, moving the key 41 against shoulder 40 shown in FIGURE 4, thereby moving the groove 28 out of engagement with the rod 32 of the switch 31. This movement causes the rod 32 to be moved outwardly against the compression of the spring 45. The contact arm 46 is thus pivoted about the pivot joint 47 to electrically connect the switch 31 to the switch 29 through the conductor wire 34.

In conjunction with the above-described rotation, the actuating shaft 25 is also retracted longitudinally in the direction of arrow C against the tension of the coil spring 48. The pin '35 is then positioned over the shaft between the shoulder 51 and an end of the housing 24 to thereby hold the shaft in the retracted position shown. The above-described longitudinal movement of the shaft moves the groove 27 out of engagement with the rod 31 of the switch 29; The rod is thus moved outwardly against the compression of the spring 42. The contact arm 43 is thus pivoted about the pivot joint 44 to electrically i connect the switch 29 to switch 31 through the conductor wire 33.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, it will thus be seen that the switches 29 and 31 are in a position wherein the circuit is maintained in an open condition.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, should the main anchor 11 drag along the bottom, the resulting movement of the boat with respect to the second anchor 13 will cause the anchor line 14 to be pulled taut, pulling the pin out of the position shown in FIGURE 5.

The spring 48 thus moves the shaft 25 in the direction of arrow D to a third position as shown in FIGURE 7. The spring 42 in the switch 29 moves the rod 31) into the groove 27, thus pivoting the contact arm 43 to the position shown. As shown in FIGURE 8, the switch 29 is thus actuated to close the circuit actuating the horn which continues to sound until it is manually turned off.

In order to stop the sounding of the horn, the shaft 25 is rotated in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG- URE 7, thus moving the key 41 to the position shown in FIGURE 4, until the groove 28 receives the rod 32 under the compression of the spring 45. This actuates the switch 31 to open the circuit as shown in FIGURE 3.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that this invention provides a simple and effective means for providing a warning that a boat is drifting from its originally anchored position. It is further apparent that the novel control means may be easily installed on the boat panel in place of the conventional horn button in conjunction with the existing horn and battery on a boat, or the entire system can be easily installed if the boat is not so equipped.

Various changes falling within the scope and spirit of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art. The alarm system is, therefore, not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodiment set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat drift alarm system for indicating movement of a boat with respect to an anchor, comprising in combination: an electrical circuit including a signal means, power source, and control means, said control means including switch means and actuating means arranged in a first position with respect to each other whereby said circuit may be closed to actuate said signal means in response to manual operation of said actuating means, said control means further including trigger means for maintaining said actuating means in a second position with respect to said switch means in which second position said circuit is open, actuation of said trigger means effecting movement of said actuating means to a third position in which a third position said circuit is closed, said trigger means actuated in response to movement of said boat with respect to said anchor whereby said circuit is closed and said signal means actuated, said actuating means including a slidable and rotatable shaft having a circumferential groove and a longitudinal groove defined in its periphery, said switch means including first and second switches having movable portions springbiased into engagement with said circumferential and longitudinal grooves, respectively, when said actuating means is in said first position, said first and second switches having the movable portions thereof out of engagement with said circumferential and longitudinal grooves when said actuating means is in said second position, and wherein said movable portion of said first switch is engaged with said circumferential groove when said actuating means is in said third position.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, including a tubular housing mounting an end portion of said shaft for sliding and rotating movement with respect to said first and sec ond switches, said housing having a spring means positioned therein around said shaft with one of its ends secured to said housing and the other end secured to said shaft, said spring means being positioned in tension when said actuating means is moved from said first position to said second position, whereby said actuating means is movable to said third position under the force of said spring means in response to release of said trigger means.

3. The subject matter of claim 2, including stop means in said control means for limiting rotation of said shaft as it is moved from said first to said second positions.

4. A boat drift alarm system, comprising: an anchor means; a line connected between said anchor means and said boat such that tension is applied on said line in response to drifting of said boat; a signal means on said boat, said signal means being electrically operated, said boat including a source of electrical energy; a control means connected to said signal means and coupled to said line, said control means being responsive to a tension on said line exceeding a given tension to actuate said signal means, said control means including actuating means coupled to said line and movable in response to tension on said line; and switch means responsive to movement of said actuating means to connect said source to said signal means, said actuating means including a slidable and rotatable shaft having groove means defined in its periphery, said switch means including movable means biased into engagement with said shaft, whereby movement of said shaft in response to a tension on said line causes said movable means to engage said groove means to actuate said signal means.

References Cited by the Examiner LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner. 

1. BOAT DRIFT ALARM SYSTEM FOR INDICATING MOVEMENT OF A BOAT WITH RESPECT TO AN ANCHOR, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT INCLUDING A SIGNAL MEANS, POWER SOURCE, AND CONTROL MEANS, SAID CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING SWITCH MEANS AND ACTUATING MEANS ARRANGED IN A FIRST POSITION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER WHEREBY SAID CIRCUIT MAY BE CLOSED TO ACTUATE SAID SIGNAL MEANS IN RESPONSE TO MANUAL OPERATION OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS, SAID CONTROL MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING TRIGGER MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN A SECOND POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SWITCH MEANS IN WHICH SECOND POSITION SAID CIRCUIT IS OPEN, ACUTATION OF SAID TRIGGER MEANS EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO A THIRD POSITION IN WHCIH A THIRD POSITION SAID CIRCUIT IS CLOSED, SAID TRIGGER MEANS ACTUATED IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID BOAT WITH RESPECT TO SAID ANCHOR WHEREBY SAID CIRCUIT IS CLOSED AND SAID SIGNAL MEANS ACTUATED, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING, A SLIDABLE AND ROTATABLE SHAFT HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE AND A LONGITUDINAL GROOVE DEFINED IN ITS PERIPHERY, SAID SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES HAVING MOVABLE PORTIONS SPRINGBIASED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND LONGITUDINAL GROOVES, RESPECTIVELY, WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES HAVING THE MOVABLE PORTIONS THEREOF OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND LONGITUDINAL GROOVES WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION, AND WHEREIN SAID MOVABLE PORTION OF SAID FIRST SWITCH IS ENGAGED WITH SAID CIRCUMFERENTAL GROOVE WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS IN SAID THIRD POSITION. 